France has started with three changes from the last group match against Algeria (1-3). Nicolas Le Goff, Tchen Petro and Maoni Talia initially sat on the bench, but Earvin Ngapeth, Thiebault Bruckert and Mickael Accambray played in the starting. Japan coach Masafumi Oura put his team on the same as in the last preliminary match to USA.

The new players in the first set of France made their cause well. Thiebault (6) and Ngapeth (5) were the most successful attacker. But even better made it the Japanese Masahiro Yanagida, who had by seven attacking points large proportion of success on the first set win (25-22).

In the second part the Japanese attack was the strongest weapon. 17 points they made, only ten of the French, who had also no success by block and serve. Twenty minutes later, Japan had won this set (25-15).

In the third set had the French recaptured and were also up to the 20-18 lead. But Japan's players stayed calm, made up for the 20-20, went 23-20 for them. Even when France came up again (23-23), Japan was not really in danger. The second match point ended the game (26-24). France captain Olivier Ragondet had his attack hit out of play.